Town promotes from within to fill manager position

JACKSON HOLE, WYO – The Jackson Town Council approved a contract selecting Larry Pardee as the Town Manager for the Town of Jackson at an executive session this afternoon. Pardee will replace Bob McLaurin who announced his resignation last fall. Pardee has served as the Director of Public Works for the Town of Jackson since 2004.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to carry out the council’s vision for this community,” Pardee said. “I look forward to building on the leadership foundation established by Bob McLaurin for the Town organization.”

In announcing the appointment, Mayor Pete Muldoon said he was impressed with Pardee’s results-driven experience and professionalism.

“Pardee brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position having served the Town of Jackson since moving to the valley in 2004. The town is indeed fortunate to have landed his services.”

Pardee says he is excited to be selected as Jackson’s new town manager, and also looks forward to completing the work on the West Broadway Landslide, wrapping up the Spring Gulch sewer pump station, and working closely with the Wyoming Association of Municipalities.

Pardee grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and relocated to Colorado in 1980 where he began working for the Town of Vail’s Public Works Department. While employed with the Town of Vail, Pardee enthusiastically worked his way from Heavy Equipment Operator to Construction Inspector. In 1999 he was promoted to manage Vail’s Streets and Maintenance Division in his role as Assistant Public Works Director. He is credited with creating a “can do” culture for the department that continues to thrive today. After 25 years of public service in Vail, Larry and his family moved to Jackson in 2004 when he was selected to manage the Town of Jackson Public Works.

During his time with the Town of Jackson, Pardee has focused on numerous initiatives that have had positive impacts on the quality of life in the town and helped Jackson maintain its status as a great mountain community. These include creation of the Town’s 10×10 Energy Sustainability Initiative including the creation of Energy Conservation Works, the construction of Jackson’s first parking garage and the refinement of Jackson’s Capital Improvements Program.

Pardee sits on numerous committees including the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), the Flat Creek Watershed District and the Jackson Recovery Planning Team. He has played an instrumental role in several notable events in town including the West Broadway Landslide and the Total Solar Eclipse. He also has been an active member of the Town of Jackson Senior Leadership Team since 2004.

In 2016, Pardee was asked to serve as the Interim START Bus Director after Michael Wackerly announced his retirement. He held this position concurrently with his position as Director of Public Works until the current START Bus Director, Darren Brugmann, was selected to head START.

Pardee is married to Kris and they have two grown daughters, Samantha and Jaime. Larry and Kris can be found hiking up the slopes of Snow King almost every night. He and his family enjoy skiing, hiking and biking and all of the year-round activities Jackson has to offer.

Pardee will begin his duties in his new role as Jackson’s Town Manager on June 4, 2018.